Ayres for the Theatre, as it was known for short, was the first printed collection devoted entirely to the incidental music used in the London theatres. It marked the point at which this repertory, hitherto largely confined to theatrical circles, was taken up in public concerts and in the home, and it was the model for a series of more than fifty theatre suites published by Walsh and Hare in the first decade of the eighteenth century. The four part-books of Ayres for the Theatre contain thirteen suites written by Purcell for the London theatres between June 1690 (Dioclesian) and the autumn of 1695 (Bonduca). Despite the mention of ‘other occasions’, the collection only seems to contain theatre music, and it includes all his known theatre suites: the ones for The Double Marriage, Timon of Athens and The Rival Sisters, included in earlier lists of Purcell’s works, are now thought to be by Louis Grabu, James Paisible and John Ridgley.

'The Parley of Instruments up to their usual stellar form' (Stereophile, USA)

'Highly enjoyable!' (Early Music Review)

''Ayres for the Theatre' is a wonderful collection of rich and varied, tuneful music and has been marvellously well recorded by engineer Tony Faulkner … the players set out in almost holographic detail between, beyond, between and in front of the loudspeakers. You could almost be there' (Gramophone 'Soundings')

I'm beginning here to resurrect some of the works that "disappeared" from Avax or were "abandoned" from the original uploaders. There's not a real thought behind it, I'm just cleaning up my HDs and following the wind. What I downloaded long ago is flowing back. All credits go to the first uploader. Enjoy...